Verified
by Mike Caulfield
Caulfield's practical guide to combating misinformation with the SIFT methodology—fact-checking any online claim in 30 seconds.
"We often jump to thinking too fast, without taking a few moments to verify the source before engaging with a claim or viral piece of media".
Editorial Summary
Verified is an indispensable guide for telling fact from fiction on the internet—often in less than 30 seconds. University of Washington research scientist Mike Caulfield and Stanford University education professor emeritus Sam Wineburg present their proven methodology for navigating online misinformation. Caulfield, creator of the SIFT methodology, has taught thousands of teachers and students how to verify claims and sources through his workshops. The book teaches readers to use lateral reading techniques and practical tools like Google and Wikipedia to quickly identify red flags, investigate sources, find better coverage, and trace claims to their original context. Building on techniques like SIFT and lateral reading, Verified will help students and anyone else looking to get a handle on the internet's endless flood of information through quick, practical, and accessible steps.
Perspective
"Verified is the rare book that actually changes how you behave online — Caulfield and Wineburg's SIFT method is concrete enough to apply immediately, and the lateral reading technique works in under a minute once you practice it. The distinctive contribution is speed: unlike media literacy frameworks that require deep investigation, SIFT is designed for the actual conditions of information consumption, where you have seconds rather than hours. Students, educators, and anyone who wants practical tools for navigating misinformation rather than general principles about critical thinking will find this the most actionable guide available."
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